Hunter's Ponds

Fast Flight Facts

Target Species:  Shorebirds, Burrowing Owls

Elevation: 970'

Habitat:  Several ponds surrounded by agricultural fields

Overall Birding Rating: 2

Difficulty: 1 (Easy)

Birding Type: Car Birding, Stopping and Scanning

Facilities:  None

Fees/Ownership:  None/Private Property

Closest Town or City/How far from Phoenix:  Tolleson /14 miles southwest of Phoenix

Getting there:  Reached from a dirt road just off of 115th Avenue

Overview:  The Hunter's Ponds are a good place to stop and check for shorebirds and waterfowl, which are located in the southwest part of Phoenix.  This is a convenient stop if visiting Tres Rios Wetlands or the Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Areas.  The Hunter's Ponds are three medium sized ponds that are permissible to view.  All the birder has to do is drive up to them to look.  A scope is very necessary here.

The best time to check these ponds would be to visit during the shorebird migrations in spring or fall.  This spot has potential to bring in great shorebird numbers.  Surrounding fields and crops in the area are good for hawks, Burrowing Owls, as well as different sparrows and blackbirds.  Waterfowl will also favor this spot, which a spot like this is always worth a stop if in the area.

Birding Tip: Roads and paths go around these ponds.  The birder may drive up to the embankment and view from the vehicle, and also may get out to scope the waters and surrounding areas.  Keep an eye on the surrounding agriculture for raptors and other species.  A house lies just east of these ponds, and just south of the ponds are fields where trespassing isn't welcome, so respect the people in the area who own these ponds.

Directions:  From the 1-10 (Papago Freeway), take the Avondale Blvd exit (115th Avenue) south for 3.5 miles.  The Hunter's Ponds are located on the west side of 115th Avenue, 0.7 miles south of Lower Buckeye Road and 0.2 miles north of Broadway Road.  If coming south on 115th Avenue and once past Lower Buckeye Road a short distance, one will come up on a house on the west side of the road.  There is a dirt road that is bordered by a small canal on the south side of the dirt road, with the house on the north side.  Follow this road a short distance to the ponds.  See the maps on the "Pages" section on this page for a better visual overview.

Pages:

Hunter's Ponds Maps

Hunter's Ponds eBird Data

Scenes and Sights from the Hunter's Ponds:

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